Metal housing, antenna assembly and electronic device

ABSTRACT

A metal housing, an antenna assembly, and an electronic device are provided. The metal housing includes a peripheral frame provided with at least one micro-seam zone which divides the peripheral frame into at least one segment of frame body, each micro-seam zone is formed by at least two micro-seams arranged at intervals, and a metal part is provided between two adjacent micro-seams. The antenna assembly includes the metal housing and at least one switch, the switch includes a first end and at least one second end, the first end is electrically coupled to the frame body divided by the micro-seam zone, the at least one second end electrically coupled to the metal part, and the at least one segment of frame body divided by the at least one micro-seam zone is an independent antenna comprised by the antenna assembly. The electronic device includes the antenna assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a national phase entry under 35 USC § 371 ofInternational Application PCT/CN2017/077128, filed Mar. 17, 2017, whichclaims the benefit of and priority to Chinese Patent Application No.201610161288.X, filed Mar. 18, 2016, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present application relates to a technical field of electronicproducts, more particularly to a metal housing, an antenna assemblyhaving the metal housing, and an electronic device having the antennaassembly.

BACKGROUND

Since an appearance design of metal material is highly textured, mobilephones with a metal housing gradually dominate the market. Theappearance of the metal housing breaks the conventional design idea foran antenna of the mobile phone, which greatly increases the difficultyof the design for the antenna. In the related art, the metal housing hasbeen considered to serve as a portion of the antenna, and used toradiate a signal.

SUMMARY

In view of this, the present application provides a metal housing, anantenna assembly having the metal housing, and an electronic devicehaving the antenna assembly.

The metal housing includes a peripheral frame provided with at least onemicro-seam zone, the at least one micro-seam zone divides the peripheralframe into at least one segment of frame body, each micro-seam zone isformed by at least two micro-seams arranged at intervals, and a metalpart is provided between two adjacent micro-seams.

The antenna assembly includes the metal housing and at least one switch,the metal housing includes a peripheral frame provided with at least onemicro-seam zone, the at least one micro-seam zone divides the peripheralframe into at least one segment of frame body, each micro-seam zone isformed by at least two micro-seams arranged at intervals, and a metalpart is provided between two adjacent micro-seams; the switch includes afirst end and at least one second end, the first end is electricallycoupled to the frame body divided by the micro-seam zone, the at leastone second end is electrically coupled to the metal part, and the atleast one segment of frame body divided by the at least one micro-seamzone is an independent antenna comprised by the antenna assembly.

The electronic device includes the antenna assembly, the antennaassembly includes the metal housing and at least one switch, the metalhousing includes a peripheral frame provided with at least onemicro-seam zone, the at least one micro-seam zone divides the peripheralframe into at least one segment of frame body, each micro-seam zone isformed by at least two micro-seams arranged at intervals, and a metalpart is provided between two adjacent micro-seams; the switch includes afirst end and at least one second end, the first end is electricallycoupled to the frame body divided by the micro-seam zone, the at leastone second end is electrically coupled to the metal part, and the atleast one segment of frame body divided by the at least one micro-seamzone is an independent antenna comprised by the antenna assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To describe technical solutions in embodiments of the presentapplication more clearly, the following will briefly introduce theaccompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments.Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below show someembodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art canobtain other drawings based on these drawings without paying creativeefforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electronic device according to a firstembodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a micro-seam zone electrically coupled toa switch illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a micro-seam zone electrically coupled toa switch in an electronic device according to a second embodiment of thepresent application.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Technical solutions in embodiments of the present application will beclearly and completely described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.Obviously, the embodiments described herein are only a part but not allof the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodimentsof the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by thoseskilled in the art without paying creative efforts, fall into theprotection scope of the present application.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, embodiments of the present applicationprovides an electronic device 10, and the electronic device 10 includesbut is not limited to a mobile phone, a palmtop computer, a tabletcomputer, or other electronic products. The electronic device 10 has ametal housing (not illustrated) and at least one switch 13, and theelectronic device 10 is internally provided with a matching circuit 15and a radio frequency circuit 16. In the present embodiment, forsimplicity of description, other assemblies within the electronic device10 are omitted in the accompanying drawings. The metal housing and theat least one switch 13 substantially form an antenna assembly. Theantenna assembly is such an antenna that uses the metal housing as anantenna radiator, and cooperates with the at least one switch 13 torealize expansion of a low-frequency bandwidth of the antenna. Theantenna assembly will be described in detail in the following.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a peripheral edge of the metal housinghas a peripheral frame 11 provided with at least one micro-seam zone 12,the at least one micro-seam zone 12 divides the peripheral frame 11 intoat least one segment of frame body 101, the micro-seam zone 12 is formedby at least two micro-seams 113 arranged at intervals, and a metal part114 is provided between two adjacent micro-seams.

The switch 13 includes a first end 131 and a second end 132, the firstend 131 is electrically coupled to the frame body 101 divided by themicro-seam zone 12, the second end 132 is electrically coupled to themetal part 114, and the at least one segment of frame body 101 dividedby the at least one micro-seam zone 12 each is an independent antenna.The independent antenna refers to the antenna radiator capable ofradiating a radio frequency signal of a certain frequency after beingconfigured. For example, the independent antenna may be the antennaradiator of a GPS antenna, a Wi-Fi antenna, or an NFC antenna.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the peripheral frame 11 isprovided with four micro-seam zones 12. Every two micro-seam zones 12form one segment of the frame body 101 serving as the independentantenna therebetween, therefore four segments of frame bodies 101 areformed. The frame bodies 101 at least include a first frame body 111 anda second frame body 112. The matching circuit 15 is located between theradio frequency circuit 16 and the first frame body 111, and iselectrically coupled to the radio frequency circuit 16 and the firstframe body 111. The matching circuit 15 is configured to match impedanceof the antenna, so as to reduce return loss caused by impedancemismatch. In other embodiments, the number of the micro-seam zones 12 isdetermined by practical requirements. For example, one, two, or threethe micro-seam zones 12 may also be provided.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the micro-seam zone 12 is formed by at leasttwo micro-seams 113 arranged at intervals, and two adjacent micro-seams113 have the metal part 114 therebetween. In the present embodiment, acase where there are four micro-seams 113 and three metal parts 114 istaken as an example for description. In other embodiments, the number ofthe micro-seams 113 or the metal parts 114 is not limited to this, butis determined based on specific design needs. For example, two, or threemicro-seams 113 may also be provided.

In the present embodiment, a width of the micro-seam zone 12 is 1.5 mmto 5.0 mm, a width of each micro-seam 113 within the micro-seam zone 12is 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, and the micro-seams 113 are arranged at equalintervals. In another embodiment, three micro-seams 113 are provided andarranged at equal intervals. The arrangement of the equally spacedmicro-seams 113 is easy to process. In other embodiments, the widths ofthe micro-seam zone 12 and the micro-seam 113 are determined based onspecific design needs and process precision, and/or the micro-seams 113are arranged at unequal intervals.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the switch 13 includes the first end 131 andthe second end 132. The first end 131 of the switch 13 is electricallycoupled to the first frame body 111, and the second end 132 iselectrically coupled to one metal part 114 within the micro-seam zone12. In the present embodiment, the one metal part 114 is adjacent to thefirst frame body 111. When the switch 13 is closed, an equivalentantenna length is lengthened, and a resonant frequency of the antenna ofthe first frame body 111 is reduced; when the switch 13 is open, theequivalent antenna length is shortened, and the resonant frequency ofthe antenna is increased compared with the resonant frequency of theantenna when the switch 13 is closed. Furthermore, the low-frequencybandwidth of the antenna will vary with the change of the resonantfrequency of the antenna. Thus, the different low-frequency bandwidthscan be obtained by means of the closed and open states of the switch,that is, the low-frequency bandwidth is expanded, and the degree offreedom of performance adjustment of the antenna is increased. In thepresent embodiment, the switch 13 is a single-pole single-throw switch,and the second end 132 of the switch 13 can only be electrically coupledto one metal part 14, so only one low-frequency bandwidth is expanded.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in a second embodiment of the presentapplication, unlike the first embodiment, a switch 14 is a single-poledual-throw switch, and the switch 14 includes two second ends 142. Thetwo second ends 142 of the switch 14 are electrically coupled to twodifferent metal parts 114 correspondingly. In the present embodiment,two low-frequency bandwidths can be expanded by means of differentstates of the switch 14. In other embodiments, the switch may be othertypes of single-pole multi-throw switch, and for example, the switch isa single-pole three-throw switch. The switch includes a plurality ofsecond ends, and the plurality of second ends may be electricallycoupled to more different metal parts 114 correspondingly. Thus, the lowfrequency bandwidth may be further expanded, and the degree of freedomof performance adjustment of the antenna may be further increased.

Further, in above embodiments, an inductance element or a capacitiveelement is further provided between the switch 13 or 14 and the metalpart 14. The performance adjustment of the antenna can be furtherfacilitated by providing an inductor or a capacitor.

In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the number of theswitches 13 or 14 may be other numbers, and for example, two switches 13or 14 are provided. The first frame body 111 is electrically coupled toone or more metal parts 114 within one adjacent micro-seam zone 12 bymeans of one switch 13 or 14, and the second frame body 112 iselectrically coupled to one or more metal parts 114 within anotheradjacent micro-seam zone 12 by means of the other switch 13 or 14.Therefore, the antenna performance adjustment and expansion fordifferent antennas can be performed by means of the switch.

The first frame body 111 may be a GPS antenna, and the second frame body112 may be a Wi-Fi antenna. The remaining two frame bodies divided bythe four micro-seam zones 12 may be a Bluetooth antenna, an NFC (NearField Communication) antenna, or the like.

Therefore, in the electronic device of the present application, byproviding the micro-seam zone including at least two micro-seamsarranged at intervals to the peripheral frame of the metal housing, theperipheral frame is divided into at least one segment of frame bodyserving as the independent antenna and the metal part located betweenthe adjacent micro-seams, such that two ends of the switch areelectrically coupled to the frame body and the metal partcorrespondingly. When the state of the switch is changed, the equivalentlength of the antenna is changed, and the resonant frequency of theantenna is changed therewith, such that the different low-frequencybandwidths can be obtained. Thus, the low-frequency bandwidth of theantenna of the electronic device is expanded, and the degree of freedomof performance adjustment of the antenna is increased.

The above reveals specific embodiments of the present application, butthe protection scope of the present application is not limited to this,it is conceivable for those skilled in the art to make variousequivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scopedisclosed by the present application, and these modifications orreplacements are deemed to fall into the protection scope of the presentapplication. Therefore, the protection scope of the present applicationis subject to the protection scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: an antennaassembly comprising a metal casing and at least one switch, the metalcasing comprising a peripheral frame provided with at least onemicro-seam zone, the at least one micro-seam zone dividing theperipheral frame into at least one segment of frame body, eachmicro-seam zone being formed by at least two micro-seams arranged atintervals, and a metal piece being provided between two adjacentmicro-seams; the switch comprising a first end and at least one secondend, the first end being electrically coupled to the frame body dividedby the micro-seam zone, the at least one second end electrically coupledto the metal piece, and the at least one segment of frame body dividedby the at least one micro-seam zone being an independent antennacomprised by the antenna assembly, wherein the peripheral frame isprovided with four micro-seam zones and every two micro-seam zones formone segment of frame body such that four frame bodies are formed; theframe bodies at least comprise a first frame body and a second framebody and two switches are provided, the first frame body is electricallycoupled to one or more metal pieces within one adjacent micro-seam zoneby means of one of the two switches, and the second frame body iselectrically coupled to one or more metal pieces within another adjacentmicro-seam zone by means of the other of the two switches.
 2. Theelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein a width of themicro-seam zone is 1.5 mm to 5.0 mm.
 3. The electronic device accordingto claim 1, wherein a width of the micro-seam is 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm. 4.An antenna assembly, comprising: a metal housing and at least oneswitch, the metal housing comprising a peripheral frame provided with atleast one micro-seam zone, the at least one micro-seam zone dividing theperipheral frame into at least one segment of frame body, each themicro-seam zone being formed by at least two micro-seams arranged atintervals, and a metal part being provided between two adjacentmicro-seams; the switch comprising a first end and at least one secondend, the first end being electrically coupled to the frame body dividedby the micro-seam zone, the at least one second end electrically coupledto the metal part, and the at least one segment of frame body divided bythe at least one micro-seam zone being an independent antenna comprisedby the antenna assembly, wherein the peripheral frame is provided withfour micro-seam zones and every two micro-seam zones form one segment offrame body such that four frame bodies are formed; the frame bodies atleast comprise a first frame body and a second frame body and twoswitches are provided, the first frame body is electrically coupled toone or more metal parts within one adjacent micro-seam zone by means ofone of the two switches, and the second frame body is electricallycoupled to one or more metal parts within another adjacent micro-seamzone by means of the other of the two switches.
 5. The antenna assemblyaccording to claim 4, wherein the switch is a single-pole single-throwswitch, the switch comprises one second end, and the one second end iselectrically coupled to one metal part within the micro-seam zone. 6.The antenna assembly according to claim 4, wherein the micro-seam zoneis formed by three micro-seams arranged at intervals; the switch is asingle-pole multi-throw switch, the switch comprises a plurality ofsecond ends, and the plurality of second ends are coupled to thedifferent metal parts within the same micro-seam zone correspondingly.7. The antenna assembly according to claim 4, wherein the antennaassembly further comprises an inductor or a capacitor coupled to theswitch.
 8. The antenna assembly according to claim 4, wherein theantenna assembly further comprises a matching circuit and a radiofrequency circuit, and the matching circuit is located between the radiofrequency circuit and the frame body and is electrically coupled to eachof the radio frequency circuit and the frame body.
 9. The antennaassembly according to claim 4, wherein the frame body is one of a GPSantenna, a Bluetooth antenna, a Wi-Fi antenna and an NFC antenna. 10.The antenna assembly according to claim 4, wherein a width of themicro-seam zone is 1.5 mm to 5.0 mm.
 11. The antenna assembly accordingto claim 4, wherein a width of the micro-seam is 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm. 12.The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein each micro-seam zonecomprises at least three micro-seams, and the at least three micro-seamsare arranged at equal intervals.
 13. The electronic device according toclaim 1, wherein the switch is a single-pole single-throw switch, theswitch comprises one second end, and the one second end is electricallycoupled to one metal piece within the micro-seam zone.
 14. Theelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the micro-seam zone isformed by three micro-seams arranged at intervals; the switch is asingle-pole multi-throw switch, the switch comprises a plurality ofsecond ends, and the plurality of second ends are coupled to thedifferent metal pieces within the same micro-seam zone correspondingly.15. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the antennaassembly further comprises an inductor or a capacitor coupled to theswitch.
 16. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein theframe body is one of a GPS antenna, a Bluetooth antenna, a Wi-Fi antennaand an NFC antenna.
 17. The antenna assembly according to claim 4,wherein the first frame body is a GPS antenna, and the second frame bodyis a Wi-Fi antenna.
 18. The electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the first frame body is a GPS antenna, and the second frame bodyis a Wi-Fi antenna.
 19. The antenna assembly according to claim 4,wherein each micro-seam zone comprises at least three micro-seams, andthe at least three micro-seams are arranged at equal intervals.